SAINT PETER, Minn. – Another strong defensive performance paired with a scoring outburst in the first half propelled the Gustavus football team to a 42-0 shutout victory over Augsburg on Saturday afternoon at Hollingsworth Field. The convincing win marks the 500th all-time victory for the Gustavus football program, which is in its 102nd season. Gustavus is now one of 57 NCAA Division III institutions with at least 500 wins with an all-time record of 500-359-21.
For the third consecutive game the Gusties held their opponent to less than 100 yards rushing. Augsburg was limited to 59 yards on the ground and just 39 through the air. The 98 total yards are the fewest allowed by the Gusties since 2014. Conversely, Gustavus amassed 289 total yards with 108 on the ground and 181 through the air.
“It was a great win for the Gusties in some interesting conditions with the wind, but we were fortunate that we won the toss and took advantage of that,” Head Coach Peter Haugen said. “We had good balance on offense and executed in key moments, but as crazy as it sounds, if [quarterback] Michael [Veldman] (Sr., Becker, Minn.) didn’t have an open receiver, he threw it into the ground. Sometimes you just need to get to the next play so I felt we played smart.
“The defense is a really confident group right now. Coach Kleinschrodt and the staff have done a great job and the players have responded. They are playing very fast and disciplined football.”
The Gusties scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown on their first series of the game. Veldman connected with Josh Kirk (Jr., Garvin, Minn.) for 36 yards on the first play and Rafael Soriano-Campos (Jr., Guadalajara, Mexico) punched in a three-yard rush for the score three plays later.
On their second possession of the first quarter, the Gusties found the endzone again as Veldman found Ellis Hirman (Sr., Zumbrota, Minn.) for a touchdown, capping a 13-play, 72-yard drive. The Black and Gold took advantage of a bad snap on a punt, starting its next drive on the Augsburg 10-yard line. On the ensuing play, Veldman rushed to pay-dirt for a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter.
The home team gained a 28-0 advantage two possessions later. David Peal (Fy., Worcester, Mass.) scampered 14 yards for his first of two touchdowns on the afternoon. Another bad snap on an Augsburg punt attempt gave the Gusties the ball at the Augsburg six yard-line. Peal then crossed the goal line after two carries for a 35-0 lead, which stood at halftime.
The final score of the day came after an eight-play, 75-yard drive to open the second half. Brice Panning (Jr., Hamburg, Minn.) kept the drive alive with a 34-yard reception on third down. Brayton Finch (Jr., Mount Morris, Ill.) later recovered a fumble in the endzone for the score.
Veldman completed 13-of-19 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown. Kirk was the top target with four catches for 66 yards. Peal led the rushing attack with 10 carries for 34 yards and two touchdowns. Brady Miller (Sr., Delano, Minn.) totaled a team-high six tackles, including one for a loss. Jake Krull (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.) and Kaleb Scott (So., Gardena, Calif.) each had an interception.
Gustavus hits the road next Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Carleton.